Method of and apparatus for locating a bit of material in a pile fabric

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for delivering yarn bits or tufts to a backing sheet for producing a pile fabric. More particularly, a bit of material is delivered pneumatically to the backing sheet and the delivery air is separated from the bit prior to its location on the backing sheet to allow the bit to continue under its own inertia to its position on the backing sheet.

Oct. 10, 1972 s TEMPLE 3,697,344

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATING A BIT OF MATERIAL -IN A FILE FABRICFiled Dec. 8, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I nuenlor Stephen Temple i aAttorneyo.

Oct. 10, 1972 Filed Dec. 8, 1970 TEMPLE 3,697,344

8. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATING A BIT OF MATERIAL IN A PILEFABRIC 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Stephen Temple y, i W llornty j UnitedStates Patent US. Cl. 156-72 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Thisinvention relates to a method of and apparatus for delivering yarn bitsor tufts to a backing sheet for producing a pile fabric. Moreparticularly, a bit of material is delivered pneumatically to thebacking sheet and the delivery air is separated from the bit prior toits location on the backing sheet to allow the bit to continue under itsown inertia to its position on the backing sheet.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in producingpatterned pile fabric and is particularly concerned with a device forlocating a bit of material in Position in a pile fabric.

In co-pending United States application No. 737,505, filed June 17,1968, and assigned to the same owner as the present application andwhich is now abandoned in favor of continuation application Ser. No.133,433, filed Apr. 12, 1971, there is described a system for producingand delivering bits for patterned pile fabric. In particular this systemincorporates a pneumatically operated selector arrangement for producingbits of material having different physical characteristics, forinstance, colour. The device of the present invention is especiallysuitable for locating the bits produced by our prior system in positionin a pile fabric.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is providedapparatus for locating a bit of material in a pile fabric, suchapparatus comprising means for penumatically delivering a bit ofmaterial to a pile fabric, and means for separating the delivery airfrom the bit prior to its location in the pile fabric to thereby allowthe bit to continue under its own inertia to a position in the pilefabric.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of locating a bit of material in a pile fabric during themanufacture thereof, such method comprising pneumatically delivering abit of material and prior to its location in the pile fabric separatingthe delivery air from the bit to allow the bit to continue movementunder its own inertia to its position in the pile fabric.

According to a third aspect the present invention provides apparatus forlocating a bit of material in a pile fabric, such apparatus comprisingdelivery means defining a passage through which a bit to be located in apile fabric is delivered pneumatically, the passage being divided in toa first part defined by a first curved wall through which air conveyingthe bit is deflected by the Koanda effect and a second part defined by asecond curved wall through which the bit is deflected under its owninertia and delivered to a backing sheet for the pile fabric.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a method of locating abit of material in a pile fabric during the manufacture thereof, such amethod comprising pneumatically delivering a bit of material fromdelivery means, separating the delivery air from the bit by the Koandaeffect prior to the location of the bit in the pile fabric and allowingthe bit to continue movement under its 3,697,344- Patented Oct. 10, 1972ICE own inertia to a position in the pile fabric.

The system of the present invention is particularly useful in theproduction of carpets. In the production of carpets using the systemdescribed in our previously mentioned co-pending applicationdifiiculties have been encountered in locating the tufts of material ina carpet being produced as the air carrying the bits of material tendsto disintegrate the bits when they are being located in position in thecarpet. By using the present device the air is separated from the bitsprior to their location in the carpet.

Preferably the backing sheet, which is normally coated with adhesive, ismoved past the locating apparatus, such movement may be eithercontinuous or intermittent. Further, means may be provided to pack bitsjust positioned on the backing so that these previously positioned bitsdo not interfere with the positioning of subsequent bits. Such means maybe in the form of small air jets or a reciprocable pusher. Where areciprocable pusher is used the said second curved wall preferablyextends into the path of reciprocation of the pusher. With such anarrangement means are provided for withdrawing the second curve wallfrom the path of the pusher to allow the pusher to pack the bits. Thewithdrawal movement of the second wall may follow a curved path so thatthe second Wall co-operates with the pusher to facilitate packing of thebits. In a preferred form the second wall comprises part of a movableguide member which extends into the path of the pusher.

The first and second walls of the passage may be constructed so that thecurved portions form a continuous smooth curve which ensures a goodseparation of the bits from the air. It has also been found possible toconstruct the first curved wall from a number of sections.

In another form the conveying air is separated from the bit by applyingsuction, for example, in such a manner that the air stream changesdirection more sharply than the conveys bit can follow.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate one form of the apparatus in four stages of itsoperation; and

FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate another form of the apparatus in four stages ofthe operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4 there is generally shown one end of adelivery passage divided into a first part 1 and a second part 5.

' The first part 1 of the passage is defined primarily by a smoothcurved wall 6 while the second part 5 of the passage is definedprimarily by a smooth wall 7 which forms part of a movable guide member2. The device also includes a reciprocable pusher device 3 for packingbits positioned on a backing sheet 4 to facilitate positioning ofsubsequent bits. The movable member 2 is adapted to move into and out ofthe path of the pusher 3 to allow the pusher to pack the bits on thebacking 4.

In operation of the device a bit produced, for instance, by the methoddescribed in our aforementioned patent application is delivered down thedelivery passage by air. At the junction of the parts 1 and 5 of thepassage the air will be deflected through the part 1 while the bit willbe carried down the part 5 by its own inertia onto the backing sheet 4where it is located in position (see FIG. 1) by adhesive coated on thebacking which is continuously advanced past the device.

In the next step (as shown in FIG. 2), the member 2 is removed from thepath of the pusher 3 so that the pusher can pack the hit just positionedon the backing 4 to prevent this bit from interfering with thepositioning of subsequent bits arranged down the delivery passage. The

member 2 follows a curved path out of the path of movement in the pusherso that it co-operates with the pusher during the packing operation.

Next,,the pusher 3 and movable guide member 2 begin their returnmovement (FIG. 3) until they reachthe positions shown in FIG. 4 wherethey are ready for the cycle to be repeated.

Any suitable control means may be provided to operate the various movingparts of the present device in the desired time relationship. It mayalso be necessary to include a device for patting down the tufts afterthey have been located on the backing sheet. Such a device will normallybe positioned just to the left of the member 2.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings is basicallysimilar: to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 the pusher 3 has beensupplemented by a further reciprocable pusher member 8. Further, acontinuous wall 9 is provided for guiding yarn bits towards the backing4.

More specifically, the pusher member 8 is adapted to work in cooperationwith the pusher 3. Thus, when the member 2 is removed from the path ofthe pusher 3, both the pusher 3 and the pusher member 8 will advance topack a bit so that it will not interfere with the positioning of.subsequent bits on the backing. However, during the return movement of,the pusher 3 and the member 2, the pusher member 8 will remain in itsadvanced position to ensure that the yarn bit remains in its packedposition. The pusher member 8 is only withdrawn when the member 2approaches the position shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The inclusionof the vpusher member 8 ensures that a yarn bit will not spring backinto the path of the member 2 prior to the positioning of the member 2in the position shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The arrows shown inFIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings illustrate the various movements of themember 2 and the pushers 3 and 8.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for locating a bit of material in a pile fabric, suchapparatus comprising delivery means, said delivery ineans defining apassagethrough which a bit to be located in a pile fabric is deliveredpneumatically, the passage being divided into a first part, the saidfirst part being defined by a first curved wall through which airconveying the bit is deflected by the Koanda effect and a second part,the said second part being defined by a second curved wall through whichthe bit is deflected under its own inertia and delivered to a backingsheet for the pile fabric.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes means for moving thebacking sheet past said delivery means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes a device for pattingdown the bits of material after they have been located on the backingsheet.

4..Apparatus according to claim 1 ,Which includes means for packing'bitsafter they have been positioned on the backing sheet so that they do notinterfere with the positioning of subsequent bits.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said means for packing bitsis in the form of air jets.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 in-which said means for packing bitsis in the form of a pusher device, the pusher device being adapted toreciprocate through a path parallel to the backing sheet.

7. Apparatus for locating a bit of material in a pile 4 v fabric, suchapparatus comprising delivery means, said delivery means defining apassage through'which a bit to be located in a pile fabric is deliveredpneumatically, the passage being divided into a first part, the saidfirst part being defined by a first curved wall through which airconveying the bit is deflected by the Koanda effect and a second part,the said second part being defined by a second curved wall through whichthe bit is deflected under its own inertia and delivered to a backingsheet for the pile fabric, and pusher means, said pusher means beingadapted to reciprocate through a path parallel to the backing sheet,said second curved wall extending into the path of reciprocation of saidpusher means and withdrawal means are provided to withdraw said secondcurved wall from the path of the pusher means, to allow the pusherdevice to pack the bits.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which said withdrawal means isadapted to withdraw said second curved wallthrough a path which allowssaid second curved wall to co-operate with said pusher means tofacilitate packing of-the bits.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which said pusher means includesfirst and second pusher elements adapted to operate in timedrelationship.

10. Apparatus for locating a bit of material in a pile fabric, suchapparatus comprising means for pneumatically delivering a bit ofmaterial to a pile fabric, and means for separating the delivery airfrom the bitprior to its location in the pile fabric to therebyallow'the bit to continue under its own inertia to a position in thepile fabric. 1

11. A method of locating a bit of material in a pile fabric during themanufacture thereof, such a method comprising pneumatically delivering abit of material from delivery means to be located in a pile fabric,separating the delivery air from the bit by the Koanda efiect prior tothe location of the bit in the pile fabric and allowing the bit tocontinue movement under its own inertia to a position in the pilefabric.

12. A method according to claim 11 in which the bits are located on a.backing sheet which is moved past the delivery means.

13. A method according to claim 11 in which the bits are patted downafter they have been located on the backing sheet. I

14. A method according to claim 11 in which the bits located on thebacking sheet are packed so that they do not interfere with the positionof subsequent bits.

15. A method of locating a bit of material in a pile fabric during .themanufacture thereof, such method comprising pneumatically delivering abit of material and prior to' its location in the pile fabric separatingthe delivery air from the bit to allow the bit to continue movementunder its own inertia to a positionin the pile fabric.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,275,487 9/1966 Lemelson 161-673,278,363 10/1966 Couquet 15672 3,580,761 5/1971 Boultinghouse 15672WILLIAM J. VAN BALEN, Primary Examiner US. 01. X.R. 156148, 285, 306,435, 497; 16167

